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    Caving Analysis

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    c_b_umashankar
    This document discusses cavings analysis which provides early warning of wellbore instability by monitoring cavings volume over time. Interpreting cavings morphology helps determine the cause and optimal remedial action for wellbore failure. There are three main types of cavings - angular cavings from shear failure, platy-blocky cavings from gravitational instability along planes of weakness, and tensile fractures. Remedial actions depend on the type and include adjusting mud weight, improving hole cleaning, and using crack blocking additives.

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    Caving Analysis

    Uploaded by

    c_b_umashankar
    384 views20 pages
    This document discusses cavings analysis which provides early warning of wellbore instability by monitoring cavings volume over time. Interpreting cavings morphology helps determine the cause and optimal remedial action for wellbore failure. There are three main types of cavings - angular cavings from shear failure, platy-blocky cavings from gravitational instability along planes of weakness, and tensile fractures. Remedial actions depend on the type and include adjusting mud weight, improving hole cleaning, and using crack blocking additives.

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    This document discusses cavings analysis which provides early warning of wellbore instability by monitoring cavings volume over time. Interpreting cavings morphology helps determine the cause and optimal remedial action for wellbore failure. There are three main types of cavings - angular cavings from shear failure, platy-blocky cavings from gravitational instability along planes of weakness, and tensile fractures. Remedial actions depend on the type and include adjusting mud weight, improving hole cleaning, and using crack blocking additives.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    384 views20 pages

    Caving Analysis

    Uploaded by

    c_b_umashankar
    This document discusses cavings analysis which provides early warning of wellbore instability by monitoring cavings volume over time. Interpreting cavings morphology helps determine the cause and optimal remedial action for wellbore failure. There are three main types of cavings - angular cavings from shear failure, platy-blocky cavings from gravitational instability along planes of weakness, and tensile fractures. Remedial actions depend on the type and include adjusting mud weight, improving hole cleaning, and using crack blocking additives.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 20

    Cavings Analysis

    A Key to Managing Wellbore


    Instability in Real Time
    Monitoring the volume of cavings versus time

    • provides an early warning of wellbore instability

    • signals need to improve hole cleaning

    • indicates which drilling practices destabilize the wellbore


    Interpretation of cavings morphology

    • helps determine cause of wellbore failure

    • helps determine optimal remedial action


    These multifaceted rock fragments result from shear failure of the
    wellbore

    Key Characteristics
    • facets are newly created fracture surface
    • facets may be curviplanar
    • facets are nonparallel
    • failure-two regions on the wellbore
    separated by 180°
    Borehole Images illustrating sections of wellbore that have
    suffered shear failure (dark bands A and B) which are the sources
    of angular cavings.
    RAB* (Resistivity At Bit) images allow diagnosis of wellbore failure
    while drilling.

    RAB while-drilling Image


    Schematic borehole cross section
    (looking down hole) showing locus of
    shear failure where angular
    UBI* after-drilling Image cavings originate (A and B).
    Remedial Action
    • if mud weight close to Pp: raise mud weight
    • if mud weight close to fracture pressure
    – maintain mud weight
    – decrease fluid loss
    – manage hole cleaning
    These cavings are rock fragments bounded by
    preexisting planes of weakness.

    Key Characteristics
    • majority of caving surfaces represent
    preexisting planes of weakness
    • one or more parallel surfaces are common
    • surfaces tend to be relatively smooth and planar
    • failure initiates on high side of wellbore when well is nearly
    parallel to a plane of weakness
    Schematic diagram of a well intersecting
    preexisting planes of weakness (bedding,
    fractures).
    Platy-blocky cavings originate on high side of the
    hole due to gravitational instability.

    UBI after-drilling image


    RAB while-drilling image
    Borehole images illustrating damage on high side of
    wellbore. RAB image (left) damage (dark region) is centered
    on high side (u). UBI image (right) high side damage is
    oriented 330°.
    Note: High side damage is well developed when wells are
    deviated along bedding or fracture dip direction.

    Remedial Action
    • maintain mud weight
    • minimize fluid loss coefficient of drilling
    mud
    • use crack blocking additives
    • avoid back reaming
    • manage hole cleaning
    • avoid excessive rpm and drillstring
    vibrations
    • employ gentle drilling practices
    Surface structures commonly associated with
    extension (mode 1) fractures (after Kulander
    and Dean, 1985).
    Key Features
    • typical lithology: low-permeability shale fragments
    • caving surfaces show plume structure indicative of
    tensile failure
    • entire circumference of wellbore may be damaged
    Food for Thought
    • More than one type of caving (mode of instability) can be produced in a single
    openhole section. The driller must determine which mode of failure is most
    problematic and take the appropriate remedial action.

    • It is important to respond to sudden changes in cavings rate. A small constant


    volume of cavings production is worth monitoring but may not require
    immediate remedial action.

    • The use of cavings morphology to diagnose wellbore failure cavings is relatively


    new. When interpretation of cavings is problematic, e-mail a digital image of the
    cavings to a geomechanics specialist. Include a coin or ruler for scale and, if
    possible, locate the source on a (RAB, UBI, FMI*[Fullbore Formation
    MicroImager]) borehole image or on an oriented 4-arm or 6-arm caliper.

    • Issue a digital camera capable of producing a sharp image of a U.K. 1 pound


    coin or a U.S. quarter dollar to the mud logger.

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